The Swerve: How the World Became Modern is a 2011 book by Stephen Greenblatt

 

The Swerve: How the World Became Modern is a 2011 book by Stephen Greenblatt that tells the story of how the rediscovery of a single book, Lucretius's On the Nature of Things, changed the course of Western history.

Chapter 1: The Garden of Epicurus

The book begins with a description of the Garden of Epicurus, a real place in Athens where the ancient philosopher Epicurus and his followers lived and taught. The Garden was a place of peace and contemplation, where people could come to escape the cares of the world. Epicurus believed that the goal of life was to achieve happiness, and he taught that this could be done by living a simple life of moderation and by avoiding pain.

Chapter 2: The Dark Ages

The next chapter tells the story of how the Garden of Epicurus was lost to the world. In the centuries after Epicurus's death, his teachings were suppressed by the Roman Catholic Church. The Church believed that Epicurus's ideas were dangerous, because they challenged the authority of the Church and the belief in an afterlife. As a result, Epicurus's books were burned and his followers were persecuted.

Chapter 3: The Renaissance

The Renaissance was a period of renewed interest in classical learning, and it was during this time that Lucretius's On the Nature of Things was rediscovered. In 1417, a group of Italian scholars led by Poggio Bracciolini were searching for ancient manuscripts in a monastery in Germany. They found a copy of On the Nature of Things, and they were so excited by their discovery that they ordered it to be copied.

Chapter 4: The Spread of the New Learning

The rediscovery of On the Nature of Things had a profound impact on the Renaissance. The book's ideas about the nature of the universe and the human condition challenged the traditional beliefs of the Church, and they helped to usher in a new era of intellectual freedom.

Chapter 5: The End of the Middle Ages

The Renaissance was a time of great change, and it was during this time that the Middle Ages came to an end. The new learning that was inspired by On the Nature of Things led to a questioning of traditional authority, and it helped to create the modern world.

Chapter 6: The Swerve

The title of the book, The Swerve, refers to the change in direction that Western history took as a result of the rediscovery of On the Nature of Things. The book argues that the Renaissance was not simply a revival of classical learning, but that it was a new beginning, a time when people began to think for themselves and to question the old ways.

Highlights of the book

• The book tells a fascinating story about the rediscovery of a single book and the impact that it had on the course of Western history.
• The book is well-written and engaging, and it provides a valuable insights into the Renaissance and the development of modern thought.
• The book is a reminder of the power of ideas and the importance of free thought.

Overall

The Swerve is a well-written and engaging book that tells a fascinating story about the rediscovery of a single book and the impact that it had on the course of Western history. The book is a valuable addition to any library and is a must-read for anyone interested in the Renaissance or the development of modern thought.